Telling the Legislature's story.

• Author: Feustel, Bruce
• Position: Includes related articles on NCSL and on Ohio Legislature - Virginia

Virginia is right in step with the computerized times. Its high-tech civic education tool features a catchy game that helps students of all ages learn more about the legislature.

Alex, I'll take History for 600."

Sounds like the game show "Jeopardy" starring Alex Trebek, but it is part of "Quiznet" on a clever CD-ROM (compact disk/read-only memory) created by the Virginia General Assembly to familiarize students with their state government.

Explorer is a CD-ROM for students of all ages, and it takes advantage of their interest in computers and games to teach them about the legislative process, Virginia history and interesting state facts in an entertaining way.

This is the kind of tool legislatures in all states need to help them boost the public's understanding of their institutions, says Chief Clerk Ramona Kenady of the Oregon House of Representatives. "Civic education has to be a priority for us," she says. "It's crucial for promoting the legislature. Too many people don't connect with their legislature and we, after all, are the branch of government closest to the people."

Says Senator Maggie Tinsman of Iowa, another long-time civic education supporter, "Somehow we need to get the public to realize that the government they can participate most in and influence is right there at home." Textbooks concentrate on the federal government, she says, with "maybe one chapter on state government. Cities and counties get ignored even more."

Legislatures need to take it upon themselves to develop materials for teachers and students that promote the legislative institution. And there are lots of ideas. But Virginia's CD-ROM, according to Kenady, is an inspiring example that others may want to duplicate. "The information age is forcing us to do things differently," she says.

TELL ME MORE

Virginia's civic education project was prompted by Chief Clerk Susan Clark Schaar who was getting requests from teachers and librarians for additional resource material on Virginia government. There were plenty of printed materials; something different was in order.

So Schaar went to John Woody, director of James Madison University's multimedia center, who suggested a CD-ROM, which offers more flexibility for class and individual student use. The compact disk format gives students a friendly and fun forum to learn about the Virginia legislative process.

Woody and his multimedia students teamed up with five Senate staffers in 1994 to design the program. A high school...